QuestionI have a 2001 Cadillac sedan Deville and my rear drivers side window broke. My
window slid down inside the door. Would I be abe to fix this. I'm not that
mechanical
AnswerHello,
I would suggest that you take the car to a service center and have them replace the tape regulater. What happens is the plastic tape that moves the window up and down breaks and will not let the window roll up and stay in its upawrd position.
On a flat rate scale should cost .7-.1.5 hours to replace. Tape is roughly $20 for the part.
The door panel needs to be removed and the regulator needs to be removed to replace the tape. Many times a speacial rivet gun needs to be used to reinstall the window motor.
Its not a bad job for someone with the tools and knowledge. You may want to check with a glass shop or a body shop because labor rates are lower.
The drive tape is part of the window regulator. It has notches in it that the gear from the motor grabs in order for the window to go up down. The plastic tapes replaced the steel regulator assemblies common in the 80's cars to lighten weight and spend less money on production.
In your car there is a triangular frame which the window tape is guided by which relaces the big steel arms that were used in the 80's. Used to see tapes break commonly in cold weather with someone trying to force the window down.
In fire investigation it was common to see where a fire investigator would say he could determine the position of the windows
of a vehicle totally destroyed by fire. Except for the steel casing on the motor and the steel triangle that holds the drive tape everything else is made of aluminum and plastic.
This means the fire investigator has a better crystal ball than I do.
